Ten Afghan nationals, including nine children, were killed in airstrikes carried out by Pakistan’s military in eastern Afghanistan, according to a statement released on Tuesday by Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson for the Afghan government. The incident has further heightened tensions along the already volatile border between the two countries.
Mujahid said the strikes hit the Gurbuz district of Khost province just after midnight on Monday. He reported that the victims included five boys, four girls and one woman, all of whom were inside residential areas when the bombs struck. Images and footage circulating on Afghan social media showed damaged homes and grieving families, prompting renewed criticism of cross border military actions.
The spokesperson added that Pakistan also conducted additional air raids in Kunar and Paktika provinces on the same night, injuring four civilians. Afghan authorities condemned the strikes, calling them a violation of the country’s sovereignty. They urged Islamabad to halt operations that endanger non combatants and destabilise border communities.
Pakistan has not issued a detailed statement, but military officials have recently claimed that they are targeting militant groups operating along the border who they say have been responsible for attacks inside Pakistan. However, Afghan officials insist that civilian areas are being hit and that such operations worsen distrust between the two neighbours.
The border between Pakistan and Afghanistan has long been a flashpoint, with both sides accusing each other of harbouring or failing to control militant groups. Over the past week, clashes have erupted between Pakistani and Afghan forces at several points along the frontier. Fighting has led to temporary border closures, disrupted trade and forced residents in nearby areas to flee their homes.
Analysts say the renewed violence reflects unresolved political and security tensions that have persisted since the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan. Pakistan has expressed increasing frustration over the rise in cross border militant attacks, while Afghan officials argue that Islamabad’s airstrikes are unjustified and counterproductive. The deaths of children in the most recent strike are likely to fuel public anger and complicate any diplomatic efforts to ease tensions.
Humanitarian organisations have called for both countries to prioritise civilian protection and avoid actions that escalate the conflict. They warn that communities living along the border are especially vulnerable, with limited access to medical services and emergency assistance. Continued clashes and airstrikes could worsen displacement and deepen existing humanitarian challenges.
As of Tuesday, Afghan authorities said they were assessing the full extent of damage in the affected areas and coordinating with local officials to provide support for the families of the victims. Calls for restraint and dialogue have grown, but with military activity increasing on both sides, the risk of further escalation remains high.
